International travelers spent nearly $12 Billion in the U.S. in September According to newly released data from the Commerce Department, international visitors traveling to the United States pumped an estimated $11.7 billion into the U.S. economy during the month of September, up $1.7 billion compared to the same period last year. This marks the fifth month of double-digit growth and ninth straight month of overall growth in U.S. travel and tourism exports. Total travel and tourism-related exports have increased, on average, $1.2 billion a month in 2010.
“Travel and tourism continues to be one of the bright spots in our economy,” Locke said. “Continued growth in the tourism sector will help us achieve our goal of doubling exports over the next two years.” Americans have spent nearly $77.4 billion abroad year to date (up 4%)—resulting in a $22.6 billion trade surplus for travel and tourism through the first nine months of 2010.
The U.S. Office of Travel and Tourism Industries (OTTI) is responsible for collecting, analyzing, and disseminating international travel and tourism statistics for the U.S. Travel and Tourism Statistical System. For more monthly travel and tourism-related trade data dating back to 1992, please visit http://tinet.ita.doc.gov/outreachpages/download_data_table/Monthly_Exports_Imports_Balance.xls
Source: U.S. Department of Commerce
